What I've Learned

I can't remember who said it or what part of the documentary it was, but someone who was interviewed for the documentary we watched said that when you take a picture you start with the edges and work your way in. This concept stuck with me, and since then ever time I go to take a picture I try to apply that. It has helped tremendously.

- Keith Mandley II

What I've Learned

As much as the cliche is used, it's true: It's not the camera, it's the person behind it. What I've learned in this class, as well as from Photography I, is that what's truly important is the choices we make when taking the shots. It's been wonderful to learn Photoshop. It's a great tool that can make your life easier. But if you don't need to edit the photos that much, your life will be even easier. And sometimes, editing your photo will only get you so far. No amount of photoshop can save a really poor composition. It's in the moment that the real editing is going on.

I find the relationship between design and photography very interesting. My own way of looking at it is that in design, you create a composition, and in photography, you find it. This can be even more challenging and even more satisfying, in my opinion.

Ice

Here is an older picture I took while it was still freezing outside. Icicles are some of the most beautiful parts of winter, especially with patterns and forms they create.
Within this photography class, I have learned to pay more attention to colors and a composition. People take advantage of the digital camera, the main reason being because of the ability to delete the photo and re-shoot. Something I have definitely tried to work on, and will continue to work on is the concept of taking my time. This by pretending I am using a film camera by taking my time and focusing more on the composition.

Something I Have Learned

In addition to furthering my understanding of light, vantage point, depth of field, etc. I enjoyed the challenge of working with color in my photographs. Color to me is a very interesting way to communicate, and in this class I learned how important color can be in a photograph. This image is my favorite from the semester as far as color goes– I like the clash between the synthetic turquoise and the natural green.

Last Post: Something I've Learned

I chose to re-post this image because I feel that it is one of my strongest and a good example of how I've grown as a photographer over this semester. I set up this shot intentionally; color, lighting, and contrast. I was also able to use these elements to communicate a mood and a message before I even put the typography on the page. I have also learned that I am a stronger photographer when I go through the necessary steps to set up the shot that I want. My skill has grown enough that I believe I am a decent candid photographer as well, though I find that I like the control I have in the studio.

photography II, thorough mindset

This class has taught me that a photograph taken well, with thoughtfulness, care & perception can create a compelling image regardless of how minimal the scene. In critique and in the artists we researched this, of course, was the reoccurring theme. Nearly every detail affects the whole, that often the more minimal the content the more obvious are the positive & negative aspects, that a simple room or a single distant figure, photographed with intentionality, is worth attention, & the best refining usually happens on site not in photoshop...I value these lessons & I'm working towards this more thorough mindset

A Prayer (An Awareness)

This prayer can be read and speak for itself. It was my own way of crying out to the Lord on behalf of the people of Japan. I know I may not have any idea at all of what they must be feeling, but I know the least I can do is pray for them. Showing the numbers/statistics of people killed and they size of the earthquake is just to hit things home for the viewer. It feels so much more real when we can put a number and a visual on it. So, be encouraged. Pray for Japan.

Japan Response 3 Revised

Once again I found myself thinking about the things we take for granted, though the subject matter this time around is a little heavier than the last. I get letters all of the time from people that I love and that love me, though I rarely give it a second thought. This project comments on a few things including the matter of being able to communicate with those you love and the implications that come with not receiving a letter that perhaps was expected, especially in times of tragedy.

Japan response continued

For the landscape project I presented a series of familiar and common landscapes contrasted by images of the tragedy in Japan. This image of Japan was originally composed against a busier background- this second image is an attempt to simplify that concept and improve on some of its problems. Again, I'm interested in describing the similarities between these two related and yet very different social landscapes. I'm also interested in comparing how nature interrupts social landscape and likewise how tragedy may interrupt the silent and the ordinary.

A Prayer (A Study in Communication)

For this blog post, I wanted to focus on a prayer for Japan. Something that I translated in different languages: Japanese, English and the language of the icon (symbols that can in theory be used as universal ways to communicate.) Working through the translation of these three different studies of the verse Psalm 23:4 helped me to reflect on the tragedy even further and to pray that the Lord would continue to renew and sustain the Japanese, possibly bringing them to Himself in the process.

"is this hope?"

After extreme devastation one looks around and sees what damage has been done, what's lost and what needs to be replaced. In response to the tragedy in Japan I am wondering here if the people who have experienced such loss actually desire what we are offering.

Carrying On

I think that a general theme to my reactions that I've been posting is hope--hope of a change in the future that things will improve. I think that an attitude that many eventually adopt after a crisis is that life goes on and we must carry onward and make the best of it. I feel this attitude is usually beneficial, but it often takes time for this realization to set it, to see that this is your life and you're going to have to make do.

I chose this image of my best friend from a time when we were not in an ideal situation (lost, stranded, 8 states away from home), but we made the best of our predicament. I love the look on her face considering our circumstances. Sometimes you just need to move past the bad, otherwise you'll miss life. We have the here, we have the now, and this is our only chance at living.